Have You Seen the Woman With the Mysterious Illness Growing Human Nails Instead of Hair? ‘It’s a Nightmare’
- Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:06pm by
Liz Klimas
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In 2009, an allergic reaction to medication treating an asthma attack left Shanyna Isom with an uncontrollable itch that eventually developed into hard bumps all over her body. It took two years before doctors finally figured out what was happening to her: instead of growing hair, she was growing nails — like those on fingers — in the follicles’ place.
Shanyna Isom on a trip to the dermatologists at Johns Hopkins Medical Center. She appears to wear a wig often when she is in public. (Photo: Facebook)
As of July 31, 2012, Isom wrote on her Facebook page that it had been a full year since she had lost all of her hair to the mysterious illness.
Doctors are still trying to determine how exactly to cure Isom, who is thought to be the only person in the world with this condition. WMCTV reports that the 28-year-old Memphis woman has to be helped by friends and family to simply rise from her bed and perform other daily activities:
“As of right now, I am the only one in the world with my illness,” Isom said.
While Johns Hopkins researchers work to cure her, loved ones rally around her.
“We know that God is a healer and he’s going to bring her through,” Carrie Isom, Shanyna’s Grandmother said.
“At this point I just do everything I can to get the help that’s needed for her,” said Shanyna’s friend Tolungia Webb.
“I love her and I know that she’s gonna get better,” friend Karintha Rawls said.
It was in 2011 when Isom was accepted into Johns Hopkins University that doctors were finally able to diagnose just what was going on with her body. They found out her hair follicles were producing 12 times the number of cells than they should have been, causing develop human nails to develop instead of hair.
(Photo: Facebook)
(Photo: Facebook)
“Where hair grows, nails are growing,” Isom said according to WMCTV.
“It‘s almost as if it’s a nightmare and you’re trying to wake up out of that,” a woman speaking about Isom said in the report.
Watch the report:
Action News 5 – Memphis, Tennessee
Doctors have gotten her symptoms under control but they still are working to cure her. She currently takes 17 medications, only five of which are covered by her state-issued insurance. Out-of-state care is not covered by insurance either. Due to these factors, she has about $250,000 in medical costs). On August 24, the S.A.I. Foundation created to help raise funds to cover these costs will host a fundraiser in Memphis. Someday, Isom hopes her foundation will also be able to help others suffering an unknown illness.
(H/T: Gawker)
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Comments (116)
fulcrum
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:21pmThis is out of the X Men mutant movie.
Report Post »Poor girl, I hope there’s a way to turn this into a positive or find a cure.
COFemale
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:16pmThis poor woman, something absolutely when haywire when she took whatever medication was given during her asthma attack. I think that medication should be known to the rest of the world and if it was taken in conjunction with other medication causing an adverse reaction to increase keratin levels or change the molecular makeup of keratin. Keratin creates our skin, hair and nails and also found in reptiles, birds, amphibians, and other mammals.
I do hope John Hopkins finds the cause so she can return to normal.
Report Post »Alessandre
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 3:18pmshe was treated w/ steroids. prednizone is the standard. it’s possible others are used & I can’t find any specific information about which steroids were administered.
prednizone is considered ‘safe.‘ I’ve occasionally received it for lupus & it caused problems w/ my glucose levels; we discontinued the steroids & I’ve refused them ever since. here are the known dermatologic side effects for prednizone (http://www.drugs.com/sfx/prednisone-side-effects.html). the list doesn’t include the response Ms. Isom had. of course she may have received a different steroid:
acne, acneiform eruptions, allergic dermatitis, alopecia, angioedema, angioneurotic edema, atrophy and thinning of skin, dry scaly skin, ecchymoses and petechiae (bruising), erythema, facial edema, hirsutism, impaired wound healing, increased sweating, Karposi’s sarcoma, lupus erythematosus-like lesions, perineal irritation, purpura, rash, striae, subcutaneous fat atrophy, suppression of reactions to skin tests, striae, telangiectasis, thin fragile skin, thinning scalp hair, urticaria.
it‘s important to remember there’s no 100% safe drug. all medication causes side-effects, some unknown, others rare. (I receive infusions of chemo for lupus & rheumatoid arthritis & am only the 2nd person to report conjunctivitis as a side-effect.) drs & patients must always decide whether the benefit is worth the risk. when a young woman is about to die of an asthma attack, a shot of steroids is preferable to death.
Report Post »Freedombeliever
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:38pmEven so, I would think she should be able to sue the drug maker for all of her medical expenses. God knows 250K is but a mere drop in the bucket for these pharmaceutical companies!
Report Post »RossPoldark
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 9:08pmI would sue.
Report Post »loriann12
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 9:09am@Alessandre
Report Post »OMG, I had an allergic reaction to a cancer drug they put me on, and it looked very similiar to this. I stopped the drug immediately and it took almost a week and a half to clear up. My doctor wants me to go back on it because “it’s really important that I take it to cure my cancer.” This article just makes me know what I already felt….no way. Any allergic reaction needs to be listened to. I wonder how long she took it, and if she made the connection right away, or it took a while?
YourVoiceMatters
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 3:54pmI think the company that produces this drug should step up to the plate and
Report Post »help out because there is clearly a link with that drug
looking at the possible reactions to the drug
seem to be skin related and some of them quite serious in nature,
if this is any way related to the drug
they should be the first to want to get to the bottom of it!
This is sad that you can take a medication prescribed and wind up far worse condition than before and in a no mans land of dibilitation and debt!
DevotedDad
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:12pmKeep taking those vaccines and eating genetically modified food and this is your future…
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:07pmIt looks inside-out ebola to me….uh oh…
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:22pmMaybe the government should have been more careful about whose life it was prying into – because that’s my land. More careful about how it spied on me through microwaves, and refrigerators, and televisions, and my computer. Maybe you don’t understand how God works in mysterious ways.
justasurvivor
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:05pmI pray she is healed. And I pray that doctors discover wonders from this situation that will also help mankind.
Report Post »FoxholeAtheist
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 4:49pmSure, because that always works.
Report Post »SpeckChaser
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 7:43pmFoxhole
Romans 9:18
Report Post »skippy6
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 9:09pm@foxhole…. Really!!!!! It’s okay with me that you are an Atheist….But at least you could have sympathy for this woman, instead of belittling others……positive thought can work wonders…….
Report Post »Copo
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:47pmFoxhole: about a year and a half ago the son of my mom’s coworker was on his death bed and only had days to live, we prayed day and night for him. The doctors said there was nothing they could do, but we still prayed. within 3 months he recovered amazingly, and 6 months later he was fully healed.
Report Post »pap pap
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:04pmWe all have our crosses to bear but that one is ridiculous. My God be with her.
Report Post »FoxholeAtheist
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 4:51pmPraise Jebus. After all, nothing happens on this earth without his say so, right?
Report Post »Quiata
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 8:46pmFOXHOLE I guess there aren’t any rules in atheism about NOT being a massive jerk, huh?
Report Post »DontCompromiseMorals
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 7:32amFoxhole….you must be so bored and have nothing to do. I would think if you had even a Scrooge heart, you would have a little sympathy for this woman instead of turning this into a religious battle.
Report Post »docfix
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:56pmAnyone making fun of this poor woman has no SOUL. You should give up your rights to be included in the human race. Nail clipper jokes??? Are you serious people. She deserves our empathy and LOVE, not your scorn or humiliation through childish jokes.
Report Post »DGuy
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 10:02amShe is from Memphrica… LOL!
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:46pmEvery tradgedy, every enemie, every failure is a blessing, there to teach us compassion, faith and ultimately, strength.
The only thing really up to us is how we respond to the universe. And what we learn from it.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:51pmMakes more sense than what Waterspeople said.
Report Post »THX-1138
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:57pmGrouch Marx makes more sense than WatersPeople.
e.g.
“Well, art is art, isn’t it? Still, on the other hand, water is water. And east is east and west is west and if you take cranberries and stew them like applesauce they taste much more like prunes than rhubarb does. Now… you tell me what you know.”
Report Post »- Grouch Marx, Animal Crackers, 1930
THX-1138
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:59pmArgh, GrouchO Marx… Geez…
Report Post »scruffycat
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:46pmwc fields: “Water? Never touch the stuff. Fish fart in it you know…”
Report Post »crackerone
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 4:57pmWaterspout has been acting stupidly.
Report Post »chips1
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 9:11pmDon’t forget the famous quote from Harpo Marx, “ ”!!!!!!!!!
Report Post »uptickusa
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:45pmSeems like an Immunology disease when your system attacks you rather then protect you.Extensive tests to determine allergic catalyst which triggers this reaction should be done.-A timetable of consumption internally and environmental contacts prior to initial attack should be investigated as well as DNA marker tests to see abnormalities if any would prompt these reactions.
Report Post »Cases like these Orphan diseases require a different approach to focus in on cause and effect.-GOD bless you during this ordeal…
hayesstephen
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:57pmOh blow it out your barracks bag. Do you really think for one minute that John Hopkins hasn’t done all this and much more. Your just showing your ass. Now go away and do something without expecting everyone to oh aooo wow gosh your wonderful!!!
Report Post »Stu D. Baker-Hawk
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:13pm@Hayesstephen: You really should get out of your mother’s basement and go find yourself a good job, a nice girl, get married, and be a productive human being instead of the self-centered, angry imbecile you portray yourself to be. Jeez!
Report Post »calmandclear
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:43pmSome of the comments on here are truly disgusting. People who think this is a joking matter are simply revealing their level of maturity. Your comments are not funny! They’re cruel, hateful and stupid. Grow up, everything is not a joke for your amusement.
Report Post »julie w
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:43pmI agree in prayer with all who are praying for this woman. I can’t imagine what this would be like. Just imagine – instead of hair growing on your head, it’s nails! Instead of hair stubble growing on your legs, it’s nails! May God grant wisdom to the doctors (and anyone with healthier alternative ways), her and her family and friends so that she may find her way through this and find a cure.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:45pmPraying for her isn’t going to help, but praying for yourself might help.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:38pmAt this juncture it isn’t a good idea to seek medical attention – because I told you [God took his bow out of the clouds.]
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:05pmEvery once is a while some like you just really p*ss’es my off. You are a heartless punk. When your turn comes I hope you remember all the hurt you passed along. Enjoy you monster, you’ve earned all that is coming your way.
Report Post »MeteoricLimbo
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:13pm@watersRpeople
I am sure your mother loves you, God bless you in your endeavors of life.
Report Post »iampraying4u
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:19pmTake your meds tim
Report Post »StepUpSpeakOut
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:25pm@ Waterspeople
Report Post »What in-the-world are you smoking? The thoughts coming out of your head that you form into words make absolutely NO SENSE. There was a time when folks like you were kept locked up to protect society. Your brain is completely fried.
watersRpeople
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:33pmYou people didn’t learn one damn thing from the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.
Report Post »justangry
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:46pmI’ll keep that in my, Reverend.
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:11pmPray tell what did you learn? I’m truly interested, yes I am. A monsters view of the death of Yeshua. Can’t wait to see what you post.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:28pmMaybe at this juncture it isn’t a good idea to seek medical attention lest you tell God you love the earth too much.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:43pmIf you have the earth, then you don’t have the Father.
Report Post »Walkabout
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:49pmIf God tells you to be fruitful & multiply (Genesis 1:28), it means to just that. One could surmise from that one is not commit suicide & to life as health of life as possible (that precludes premature death or disease). We are to live healthy, productive lives while a the same time worshiping God. Nowhere in there does it say not to have fun along the way or to spend 24/7 on one’s knees saying Hosanna.
If you are for real seek help in interpretation form a pastor & counseling form a psychiatrist. if you are troll seek counseling from a psychiatrist & consider reading something other than what you read.
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:14pmEarth is Our Mother. You can have both, you just need the right balance. The scales are tipped in The Father’s favor. People tend to forget that.
Report Post »OlderCowGirl
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 6:08pmTo all sensible folks on these Blaze blogs…(that would not be you Watersrpeople)
Report Post »Let’s not respond to Watersrpeople, at all. We’re just giving this small-brained person a platform from which to prattle about nothing. We should never reply to this foolishness.
JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 8:44amJest wait till you git lassooed COWGIRL. YEE_HAW!
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 8:48ambtw…ever listen to Stray Dog? “Snuffy’ Walden RULES! There’s some Texas swing I could snuggle right on up to.
Report Post »Copo
Posted on August 11, 2012 at 2:51pm@jackthetoad The earth is a rock floating in space, not a living being, it is not our mother. The earth is like us, part of creation.
Report Post »Anonymous T. Irrelevant
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:28pmGod, bless this woman with a cure. I sure hope it isn’t contagious. If it started with steroids, then it has to be related.
Report Post »aragona
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:23pmYes, this is really horrible. I feel very sorry for her. I, personally, don’t think this is a joking matter. Imagine this was you or a member of your family? It’s also not a political issue. The attempts at jokes fall seriously flat. Have some basic human compassion.
Report Post »OneTermPresident
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:23pmWhat an ordeal to be confronted with… I pray they find a cure and that enough donations come in to help with the bills.
Report Post »The highlander
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:20pmPlease pray for her. Not only must this be very painful but very humiliating . I pray that the Doctors will rapidly find a cure.
Report Post »watersRpeople
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:19pmWeird. It’s almost as if that Great Dragon is getting drawn up, and all it‘s rivers are sticking to it’s scales. Maybe it’s not a good idea for people to seek medical attention, because they love the earth too much. Of course if you didn’t love doctors so much, father’s would deliver their own babies – and they would be like gods to their children. Remember God isn’t nice, but God is good.
LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:19pmWATERS, are you that empty inside? Are you really that low? Are you really that cold? Why not try some compassion? You effing liberals have no class
Report Post »JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:06pmIf people don’t confess to and be forgiven by Jesus Christ soon, well, er, umm, just leave it up to what’ll be LEFT of your imaginations.
Report Post »SkyDiamond
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 2:36pmI didn’t want to respond, but decided for the wellness of others who decide to read.
It appears that WatersPeople may be opposed to taking medication for health. So be it, your choice. But be warned, not to judge others. God will take care of that for certain, and
thankfully God loves us enough to have created the Heavens & Earth.
He loves us enough to bring forth his creation of Human Life on this Earth.
and I will continue to love this Earth and the People who he created, in his likeness.
I am not sure what WatersPeople has learned or not learned about DNA and
The Genetic Recipe for the Human Body, which God created in his image. We should be grateful for medical specialists who want to keep us well. Moses was the first to warn his people not to eat certain species of animal, because they could make people sick, because of what the animals ate was unclean. Also, due to medicine we know that some people have normal DNA and some carry multiple copies, of up to several genes, while others are missing huge chunks of DNA.
We have millions of nucleotides, which is more or less DNA than others. Nucleotides are the molecular building blocks of DNA and genes, which form the basis of heredity. Otherwise, created by God.
Report Post »MOLLYPITCHER
Posted on August 12, 2012 at 5:01pm@ waters people
Report Post »So was she supposed to suffocate due to an asthma attack? God gave people the ability to treat others. Unfortunately this didn’t turn out so good. I’m not one to run to the doctor,but they do have their place.
The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:15pmPoor kid…prayers going out for a speedy cure and a happy ending.
Report Post »Kupo
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:15pmomg that’s horrible….
Report Post »hi
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:15pmThey should just get rid of every hair follicle instead of giving her tons of meds with side effects. Women do that all the time for underarm hair and whatnot.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:28pmGreat idea if it would work.
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:09pmGee you should travel to Johns Hopkins Hospital!! What a brilliant idea. I bet they will give you a job or possibly lock you up for being to insane to be allowed to walk around free.
Report Post »Delores at CH WV
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:14pmYes, I will pray for you. I doubt that anyone can help but Jesus Christ.
Report Post »Cleats4Feets
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:14pmImagine giving her a Manacure!
JACKTHETOAD
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:09pmNot only do you need a MANURECURE,, but you’re a damned good speller.
Report Post »hayesstephen
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:15pmWhite Liberal Trash never fails to disappoint. Nasty heartless monster, your are disgusting.
Report Post »LIBSALWAYSLIE
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 1:21pmCLEATS, What a cold hearted, low class thing to say. You are disgusting.
Report Post »CoGod
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:21pmYou are sick. Perhaps you may get what you make fun of.
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on August 10, 2012 at 12:29pmCOGOD – I used to tell my first husband that when he used to make fun of all sorts of people. He never got one of their illnesses.
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